Rahul Gandhi to address public rally in Kargil ahead of LAHDC polls

Visits Leh market, interacts with locals

Srinagar, Aug 22  : Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who is on tour to Ladakh Union Territory is scheduled to address a public rally in Kargil on Friday.

The rally is expected to boost support for the joint alliance of Congress and National Conference in elections for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil. The Gandhi scion arrived in Leh on Thursday last week and has been there since then.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Rahul Gandhi reached back to Leh from Nubra valley on Monday and visited the main market during which he was surrounded by a large gathering of locals. He talked to people, street vendors and others there and made many requests for selfies.

Congress party sources said that Gandhi is scheduled to leave for Kargil to meet leadership there.

On 25 August, he is scheduled to address a public rally alongside the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, they added.

Election campaign for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil is underway and the union territory is expected to witness a direct contest between National Conference-Congress alliance and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). All the three parties have announced their candidates.

In Kargil, party sources said that Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with the youth on the evening of August 24.

Haji Hanifa Jan, President of District Unit Kargil said Gandhi’s visit to the region is going to benefit their alliance. “Everyone is very excited and thrilled to hear Rahul Gandhi speak in Kargil. It will definitely help us in LAHDC elections. We are truly thrilled to have him here. Both INC and NC will gather here to listen to him,” he said.

He said that preparations are underway for the elections. “Tomorrow is the last day for nominations. After that candidates will be visiting their constituencies.”—(KNO)